Concern is growing around the world about the health of the 77-year-old businessman, a symbol of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, who has been imprisoned for nearly 1,700 days under China’s national security law. The prosecution began its closing arguments in a trial that has dragged on since December 2023 and could end with a life sentence. The verdict, handed down by three judges specifically selected by the pro-Beijing camp, is expected in October.
In his speech to parliament, the president highlighted savings in public spending, economic growth above 5 per cent, and new social policies, such as free meals and improved education. He reiterated his support for the Palestinian cause. But factory closures and low wages fuel doubts about the real value of the results of the president’s administration.
The vote is set to start on 28 December, and subsequent rounds in January. Currently, 55 parties have registered, nine ready to run countrywide. Humanitarian NGOs and the international community are highly critical of the vote, but China wants stability. Meanwhile, the humanitarian emergency is growing, particularly in Rakhine State, where the WFP warns that resources are in dire shortage.
A Dalit worker told police that he was forced to remove the bodies of many victims of violence between 1995 and 2014. Having found some remains, the families of dozens of missing people are demanding full disclosure. But Hindu nationalists are calling this a "smear campaign", claiming (without evidence) that the man behind the charges was paid by Christians. For the Diocese of Mangalore, these claims are irresponsible.
Today's news: Zelensky meets with Trump and European leaders. North Korea is set to send more troops to Russia. The search continues for hundreds of people missing following floods in Pakistan, with victims also reported in Indian Kashmir. Coca-Cola faces a storm in Cambodia after a local celebrity endorser was fired for supporting the war with Thailand. A Nagasaki hospital has digitised the medical records of 50,000 hibakusha.
In his Angelus address delivered from Castel Gandolfo, the Pope asks urges that ongoing negotiations “place the common good of peoples first”. Prayers for the victims of the violent floods in Pakistan, India and Nepal. In his homily during Mass with a group of poor people and Caritas Albano: in a “Church of the poor [...] no distinction between those who help and those who are helped”.
